Chaos on roads as KWA, KSEB fail to coordinate

KOCHI: Projects along the Vypeen-Munambam State Highway is facing hindrance because of the lack of coordination between the Public Works Department, Kerala State Electricity Board and  the Kerala Water Authority.The unfinished pipe-laying work along the Puthuvype-Murukkumpadam Road by KWA is adding to the traffic woes in the region. The 1,750-metre stretch of the road was dug open nearly two months ago. However, the work, which was supposed to be completed by now, has been delayed. “The pipe-laying work is nearing its last phase. After this, we need to do the surfacing work. As the soil condition is not fit for normal surfacing, extra care has to be taken to avoid the road from sinking into the earth. Hence a special metal mix needs to be laid before commencement of Bitumen Macadam Bitumen Concrete (BMBC) tarring,” said M Shamsudeen, executive engineer of KWA Perumbavoor Project Division . “We are taking measures to complete the work as soon as possible,” he added.Dug-up roads are not the only villains awaiting unwary commuters along the Vypeen Munambam Highway. The reconstruction work on eight old bridges along the stretch seems to have come to a standstill owing to the lack of coordination between PWD, KSEB and KWA. The reconstruction work of the old and narrow bridges at Aniyal, Punchayilthod, Valiyathanparambu, Vadayilthod, Ayyampilly, Pazhangad, Karuthala and Kuzhuppilly, consists of two phases. “The first phase of the project, which comprises constructing new bridges adjacent to the old ones, is facing a road block due to the delay in removing the water pipelines and electricity posts passing through the area,” said E P Benny, PWD Assistant Executive Engineer (Bridges).  “The first phase will be completed within a few weeks time. After the construction of the new bridges, traffic will be diverted through them to assist in the demolition and reconstruction of the old bridge,” he added.  ‘Express’ had earlier reported that the reconstruction work on these bridges is lagging behind, despite strict orders from District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth to finish the first phase before February first week. However, the the work is yet to see some progress.